drug dealers will be introduced soon, Bermuda's Premier pledged yesterday.

The Hon. David Saul said: "An often-heard criticism is that we lack the ability to properly confiscate the assets of drug dealers.

"The Government will be putting legislation forward to strengthen this aspect of the law.'' Dr. Saul announced the new get tough policy at a meeting of the Hamilton Lions at the city's Princess Hotel yesterday.

He said afterwards that legislation already existed to confiscate the proceeds of drug-dealing -- but that it had to be proved assets were acquired on the proceeds of crime. Dr. Saul added: "Those who have experience in this field are saying we need to tighten up that legislation.'' Dr. Saul declined to discuss specific recommendations which will be put to the House of Assembly.

But it is understood that the law on proving where cash and other assets came from will be relaxed in a bid to hammer drug dealers off the Island.

The move was welcomed by Police Commissioner Colin Coxall, who recently called for tougher laws to penalise convicted drug dealers.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Coxall said: "The Commissioner is aware that new legislation is planned and he is very much in favour of it.'' Dr. Saul told the Lions meeting: "The public itself is a key player in the fight against crime, including crime that involves the abuse of drugs.

"There are clear signs that the public is becoming increasingly intolerant of crime and wants to help do something about it.

"On the punishment side, there is often criticism that criminals get off too lightly.

"The independence of the administration of justice is something we must not interfere with, but what members of the Government can do as lawmakers is ensure that the punishment prescribed by law properly fits the crime and respond to criticism.'' He added that mobilising public opinion to beat the drugs menace would be "greatly enhanced'' by the National Drug Commission.

Dr. Saul said: "It is genuinely a community-based organisation designed to spur people into action, instead of them waiting for the Government to do everything.'' The Government will also be pumping more cash into the Police force, said Dr.

Saul.

He explained: "The Police are in need of a helping hand at the moment and the Government is committed to giving it to them.

"We can't do it all at once, but we will give them what they need as quickly as we can. But we need the public to be behind us all the way and I believe this is happening.''